Name sign and bracket for mail boxes and the like



Oct. 30, 1951 H, w, D CAN 2,573,413

NAME SIGN AND BRACKET FOR MAIL-BOXES AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 25, 1949 2SHEETS SHEET l Ill , INVENTOR. HHROLD W; DUNCFIN digs.

Oct. 30, 1951 H. w. DUNCAN NAME SIGN AND BRACKET Filed Jan. 25, 1949 FORMAILBOXES AND THE LIKE 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 V INVENTOR. HHROLD W. DUNCHNGiiiys.

Patented Oct. 30, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT or-"Flee NAME SIGN .ANDBRAGKET FOR MAIL BOXES. A HE LIKE Harold W. Duncan, Akron, Ql ioApplication January 25, 1949, Serial No. 72,635

This invention relates to name signs for mail boxes, and for similararticles, and, more .particularly, is concerned withsigns of theindicated type utilizing insertable letters whereby. any'particulardesired name canbe spelled out.

Heretofore, it has been the usual practice in conjunction with ruraltype mail boxes to paint the name of the persons owning themail box onthe sides thereof. The result is a very amateurish lettering job unlessa relatively expensive stencil is cut, and in any event, the paint willfade and dirtyso that in several years time it is necessary to repaintand reletter the mail box. This is ajob which many mail box owners letslide with the result that it is often difficult to make out the name ona mail box and to locate the house of a given party.

Some efforts have been mad e heretoiore ,to provide replaceable lettertypes'of signs for one purpose and another, but so far as I amaware,none of these replaceable letter type signs are particularly adapted torugged outdoor use, and speeifically in association witlia mail box. Theknovgntypes of signs are either susceptible to deterioration by weather,fail to provide'a'dequate thickness of metal or other section to makethe sign substantial and attractive, or go to the other extreme ofcasting metal letters which becomes a relatively expensive proposition.

It is the general object of my invention to avoid and overcome theforegoing and other difliculties of and objections to prior artpractices by the provision of an improved name sign and bracket assemblyadapted to receive selected letters, with the assembly being attractive,durable, and relatively inexpensive, as compared to known removableletter type signs.

Another object of my invention. is. toprovide a bracket for use inconjunction with a. mail box of the rural type, the bracket beingadapted, to

r ive .an support sele ted letters id nti yi vertedI-slot .formcdlongitudinally thereof;

Another object 10f. my invention isto provide a-namev and mail boxcombination including red reflectorbuttonsfor Warning an automobile awayfrom. the side of the roadand th vicinity of the mailbox to ,add asaietyfeature ,to the road andto protect the .mail :box of. h v comb na ion- 9Claims, (01. 40-1 5) .2 Another object. of. my invention is to. providea combination'mail box support bracket and selective letter receivinmeans.

The foregoing objects of my invention. and otherobjects-whichwill becomeapparent as'the description proceeds 'areflachieved by the provi sion ofthe combination including a mail box, .an extruded aluminum sectionhaving an inverted substantially T-shaped slottherein, a plurality ofletters having footer portionsslidably received in the slot, the'footerportions having'a plurality of oppositely. directed legs bent out of theplane of .the. letter, the footer portions preferablybeing longer in thedirection of lengthof the slots than the Width'fof .eachletter to efiectspacing between the letters, the footer portions, being pushed togetherend to end in the slot, meansfor securing the lettersin the slot, andmeans for connecting 'the mailbox and section in spaced parallelrelation. The section may be curvedfat one end of the letters and areflector button may be carried in the curved portion of the section. Inoneform of the invention the section and letters are mounted ontop'ofthe mail box, and in another embodiment of the invention the section iscurved .to provide a bracket which not only receives and supports theletters but ,also whichzse'rves to'support and carry the ,mail box. Fora bettrjuidersitanding ofmy invention, reference should ,be had'to'theaccompanying drawing, wherein: Y

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a mail box and name sign combinationincorporating the principles of the invention Y Fig. 2 is an enlargedtransverse crossrsectional view taken substantially on line .2.- 2' O'f.Fi -f1 Fig. 3 is an end elevation of a typical letter incorporated'in'the invention, and withth'esupporting channel of Fig; 2 being shownlin.chain dotted-lines;

Fig. e' is la :front elevation of the typical letter illustrated iniFig.3 of the drawings Fi 5 is a side elevation similar vtol ig. l, butillustrating a second embodiment of myim ventiomand Fig. 6 isan enlargedfragmentary view t aken substantiallyon fine s 6 tor Fig. 5.

It should be understood that the principles of my inventionandparticularly the removable 1a;

ter name sign portions thereof,,are'adaptable to a wide variety of usesand purposes. 'However, the invention is, most particularly andbeneficially employed in combination with arural type mail box, and,hasaccordinglybeen .so illu;"s

In the drawings, the numeral It] indicates a vertically extending postwhich supports from underneath a rural type mail box I2 of standardshape and construction in known manner. Associated with the mail box I2and positioned above and parallel to the top of the mail box is a metalsection or channel indicated as a whole by the numeral M. The metalchannel I4 is conveniently formed in an extruded aluminum section of theshape shown in Fig. 2, with a flat base l6 and two upstanding ribs orflanges l3 which define an inverted T-shaped channel 20.

The upstanding flanges l8 are milled, or otherwise removed from thesection '4 adjacent the opposite ends thereof, with one of the ends 22being directed downwardly at substantially a right angle, and beingadapted to be secured by bolts or rivets 24 to the back of the mail box12. The other end of the metal section M, at 26, is rolled into an eyewhich receives and supports a round red light reflecting button 28 whichserves to protect the mail box and act as a safety guide for persons orvehicles passing near the box. A spacer clamp or bracket 39 securedbetween the mail box i2 and the metal channel [4 near its front endadditionally serves to support and strengthen the section 14.

Adapted to be selectively positioned in the T-shaped channel 20 of themetal section G4 are a plurality of letters, numbers, punctuation marks,or the like, these being indicated as a whole by the numeral 32, andbeing stamped from relatively thick metal, preferably aluminum, at leastof an inch thick, and preferably approaching {a of an inch whereby theletters will have a third dimensional thickness which materially adds totheir appearance and strength. I A footer is formed in association withthe bot tom of each one of the letters 32 and this is preferablyaccomplished by bending alternate legs 34 out to substantially rightangles from the plane of the letters, the leg or footer portions 34being adapted to be slidably received in the channel of the metalsection M. It will be noted that the footer or leg portions 34 arepreferably made of a greater length in the direction of the channel 20than the width of the letters 32 to thereby providev spacing between theletters.

One end of the channel 20 is at least partially closed by suitable meanswhich can be conveniently accomplished by bending one or both of theflanges 18. The letters are introduced into the channel 20 from theopposite end of the channel and are moved up against the means closingthe one end of the channel, the footer portions 34 striking each otherend to end. When all of the letters have been introduced, the other endof the channel 20 is closed adjacent the last letter in the channel,again by bending the flanges H! with a, pair of pliers or by distortingthe channels with a center punch or the like to thereby lock the lettersin position in the channel.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. and 6, andupstanding wooden or metal post 40, or it might be a tree or a side of abuilding, or the like, is adapted to receive and support a bracketportion indicated as a whole by the numeral 42. The bracket 42 comprisesa metal section, usually provided by extruded aluminum to thecross-sectional shape shown in Fig. 6' of the drawing, with the metalsection being bent near its center to provide a loop 44, and being bentat its ends to provide vertically aligned legs 46 and 48. The legs 46and 48 are secured to the posts 4-8 by screw or like means 50. Artisticmetal straps 52 may be secured between the leg 46 and the upper portionof the bracket 42 for strengthening and decorative purposes.

It will be recognized from Fig. 6 that the metal section of the bracket42 is formed with a substantially flat base portion 54, a central rib56, and an inverted T-shaped slot 58. The slot 58 is on the inside ofthe bracket 42 so that with the bracket shaped in the manner shown, around red reflector button 60 may be received in the loop 44 of thebracket, with the button resting in the slot 58, and being peened intoposition by means of a center punch or the like, which will deflect ordistort the metal surrounding the T- slot 58 at the edges of the disc 60to lock it in position.

Removably received in the slot 58 in the bottom portion 62 of thebracket 42 are a plurality of letters 64 having oppositely extendingfooter or leg portions 66 bent out of the plane of the letter which willslide snugly in the slot 58. The letters 64 can be inserted in the lowerportion 62 of the bracket 42 prior to the time that the leg 48 is bent,or a slot 68 can be milled into the metal section in the region of thebend of the leg 48 to facilitate the introduction of the letters afterthe leg 48 is bent but before the bracket 42 is applied to the post 40.

A pair of cast metal clamps 1B are slipped over the metal channelsection 62, and appropriate hooks 12 are secured to the top of a mailbox 14, with each hook 12 being extended through an eye provided in thebottom of the clamps 19.

In both forms of the invention illustrated and described a very neat,sturdy, durable and long wearing mail box and name combination areprovided. It is a relatively simple matter at the store to buy the metalsection and the proper letters to spell out the customers name, with theletters being quickly inserted into the metal section and secured inposition. The aluminum construction of the assembly is particularlyresistant to weathering, and possesses very considerable beauty over theyears without the necessity to paint it. However, even if it isdesirable to paint the assembly, this can be done without destroying thesilhouetted name. The form of the invention shown in Fig. 5 not onlyfunctions to support the mail box, but also provides protection for theletters 64, the letters being positioned between the upper and lowerportions of the bracket.

While in accordance with the patent statutes, I have specificallyillustrated and described at least one best known embodiment of myinvention,'it is to be particularly understood that I am not to belimited thereto or thereby, but that the scope of my invention isdefined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An insertable letter sign comprising an extruded aluminum sectionhaving an inverted T- slot lengthwise thereof, one end of the sectionbeing cut away to remove the slot and leave a flat bar portion, the flatbar portion being bent downwardly and adapted to be secured to a mailbox or the like, means at least partially closing the slot adjacent oneend thereof, a plurality of letters, a footer on each letter of greaterlength than the width of the letter, said footer being formed by aplurality of integral legs bent in opposite directions out of the planeof the letter, said footers being slidably received in the slot in endto end contact and being pushed against the closing means, and meansclosing the other end of the slot to secure the letters in position.

2. An insertable letter sign comprising an extruded aluminum sectionhaving an inverted T- slot lengthwise thereof, means at least partiallyclosing the slot adjacent one end thereof, a plurality of letters, afooter on each letter of greater length than the width of the letter andof a height to position the bottom edge of the letter in approximatealignment with the top edge of the T-slot, said footer being formed by aplurality of integral legs bent at substantially right angles inopposite directions out of the plane of the letter, said footer beingslidably received in the slot in end to end contact and being pushedagainst the closing means, and means closing the other end of the slotto secure the letters in position.

3. In combination, a mailbox, an extruded aluminum section having aninverted T-slot lengthwise thereof, one end of the section being cutaway to remove the slot and leave a fiat bar portion, the fiat barportion being bent downwardly and secured to the back end of the mailbox, means at least partially closing the slot adjacent one end thereof,a plurality of letters, a footer on each letter of greater length thanthe width of the letter, said footer being formed by a plurality ofintegral legs bent in opposite directions out of the plane of theletter, said footers being slidably received in the slot in end to endcontact and being pushed against the closing means, and means closingthe other end of the slot to secure the letters in position.

4. A name sign and mail box bracket including an extruded aluminumsection having a longitudinally extending T-slot therein, said sectionbeing bent near its center with the slot on the inside to form twoportions in spaced parallel relation to each other, the upper portionbeing bent upwardly and the lower portion being bent downwardly to formvertically aligned feet for securing the bracket to the side of a postor the like, artistic strengthening mean extending between the upperfoot and the upper portion, a

plurality of letters having footer portions of greater length than thewidths of the letters being received in the slot of the lower portionand extending upwardly between the lower and upper portions, bracketmeans for securing a mail box to the lower portion, and a reflectorbutton carried in the slot of the section near the region of its centerbend.

5. A name sign and mail box bracket including an extruded aluminumsection having a, longitudinally extending T-slot therein, said sectionbeing bent near its center with the slot on the inside to form twoportions in spaced parallel relation to each other, the upper portionbeing bent upwardly and the lower portion being bent downwardly to formvertically aligned feet for securing the bracket to the side of a postor the like, artistic strengthening means extending between the upperfoot and the upper portion, a plurality of letters having footerportions received in the slot of the lower portion and extendingupwardly between the lower and upper portions, and bracket means forsecuring a mail box to the lower portion.

6. In combination, a mail box, a support for the mail box, a metalsection having a longitudinally extending T-slot therein, said sectionbeing bent near its center with the slot on the nupwardly and the lowerportion being bent downwardly to form vertically aligned feet forsecuring the bracket thus formed to the side of the post, artisticstrengthening means extending between the upper foot and the upperportion, a plurality of letters having footer portions received in theslot of the lower portion and extending upwardly between the lower andupper portions, and bracket means supported on the lower portion andsecured to the top of the mail box.

'7. In combination, a mail box, an extruded aluminum section having aninverted T-slot lengthwise thereof, one end of the section being cutaway to remove the slot and leave a fiat bar portion, the flat barportion being bent downwardly and secured to the back end of the mailbox, a spacer bracket securin the other end of the section to the mailbox so as to support the section in spaced parallel relation along thetop of the mail box, means at least partially closing the slot adjacentone end thereof, a plurality of letters, a footer on each letter ofgreater length than the width of the letter, said footer being formed bya plurality of integral legs bent in 0-pposite directions out of theplane of the letter, said footers being slidably received in the slot inend-to-end contact and being pushed against the closing means, and meansclosing the other end of the slot to secure the letters in position.

8. An insertable letter sign comprising an extruded aluminum bar sectionhaving a flat base and integral opposed upwardly and inwardly directedflanges defining an inverted T-slot extending lengthwise thereof, aplurality of aluminum letters having a thickness substantially equal tothe thickness of the base of the bar section, a footer on each letterreceived in the T-slot, each footer including a plurality of legsintegral with the letter and bent in opposite directions on a gradualcurve to a right angle position wherein the ends of the legs engageslidably with the flat base and the flanges of the bar section, theupper edges of the flanges slidably engaging the footer immediatelybelow the letter and above the legs, and means securing the footers inthe bar section.

9. An insertable letter sign comprising a bar section having a flat baseand opposed upwardly and inwardly directed flanges defining, togetherwith the base, an inverted T-slot extending lengthwise thereof, aplurality of letters having a thickness of at least aboutone-eighth ofan inch, a footer integral with each letter and received in the T-slot,and a plurality of legs integral with the footer and of substantiallythe thickness of the letter extending at substantially a right angle outfrom the sides of the footer and slidably received in the cross barportion of the T-slot.

HAROLD W. DUNCAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent: V

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 75,378 Markman May 29, 1928773,110 Wickstrom Oct. 25, 1904 813,554 Hamel Feb. 2'7, 1906 2,037,670Wilson Apr. 14, 1936 2,167,564; Fonda vmu July 25, 1939

